By metstradamus | September 18, 2020 3:29 am
This game had everything you’d expect out of 2020, and a few things you didn’t expect … much like 2020.
First off, who expected the Mets to jump out to a 3-0 off Aaron Nola, who was not his dominant self?
Then, who expected Seth Lugo to lose the lead not only so quickly, but so forcefully? The Phillies played pinball with Lugo as Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm, and Didi Gregorius all reached the seats to tie the game at 3-3 before Jean Segura tripled and scored to make it 4-3. The thing that struck me about Lugo was that he was throwing nothing but fastballs. The guy has a full arsenal of pitches but he was trying to mow through the Phillies’ lineup first time through with fastballs?
It makes you wonder if this was an injury thing, or a pitch tipping thing, but to me it was purely an attempt at game planning gone awry. Did Lugo see Zack Wheeler mow the Mets down first time through the order on only fastballs? Was this something Lugo wanted to try as he navigates his transition to being a starter? Was this a game plan with more of next season in mind? What went into this? Also, the fastballs themselves lacked zip. Lugo can go upper 90’s, so why was he topping out at 93? Was this another attempt to try to pace himself to pitch longer and peak later? Or was this just a situation where Lugo just flat out didn’t have it? Because if he didn’t have it, sticking with fastballs just made it worse.
Dillon Gee told me once that starters don't know what they have until they work pre-game in the pen.
ReplyDeleteHe said it goes:
1/3 spot on all pitchers
1/3 mixed bag of results
1/3 nothing
He also said NO ONE runs to the pitching coach and asks out of the assignment. They go out and try to work it out.
Sort of like what Lugo and Wilson did yesterday.
Nice bounce back wins the last two days, fellas.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, I think Lugo's best spot is in the bullpen (which I am sure he would object to) and I am NOT
a believer in Edwin Diaz as our closer. Middle relief? Sure......just not when the game is on the line.
Can you imagine him closing out a playoff game against a really good opponent? Me either.
If someone else this offseason sees more in Sugar then he has shown the Mets, then I would deal him in a heartbeat.
Hey Mike
ReplyDeleteI agree that Lugo is best suited to pen but I would start him in 2021 because of the lack of starter depth on the team.
I would also offer to extend him.
Think it's premature to speculate on the 2021 rotation. Hopefully, sign Bauer and a solid 3 or 4 and we should be able to complete with anyone.
ReplyDelete